In 1886, a challenge cup was offered for the women's singles event for the first time. This meant that the holder did not have to play through the event, but could "sit out" and wait to meet the winner of what was known as the All-Comers' event. Blanche Bingley beat Lilian Watson and her younger sister, the holder Maud, to win her first Wimbledon crown.

Lottie Dod, "The Little Wonder" is the first real teenage prodigy of tennis. She wins on her debut at Wimbledon. She was 15 years and 10 months old at the time and is still the youngest ever winner of a senior singles title at Wimbledon. Miss Dod is the only woman in tennis history never to lose in a major, going unbeaten in her 5 Wimbledons. Some ladies feel the young girl has an unfair advantage over them. Older women must wear more restrictive clothes, while young Lottie can dash about in shorter skirts.
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From: "The Field Lawn Tennis Calendar" (1888): "Wednesday, July 6. With so few competing in the ladies' singles, it was decided that it was not necessary to allow the winner of the All-Comers' a day's rest before meeting the lady champion, indeed, Miss Lottie Dod had only two ties to play off. Rather a larger company than had been previously seen this year at Wimbledon, were gathered round centre court when Miss Blanche Bingley and Miss Dod commenced their match for the championship. Just at first Miss Dod was not seen at her best, while Miss Bingley played very well, sending her returns down the court in her well-known style, but this, however, only lasted four games, and out of this number the 1886 champion could only win her share.

"Afterwards it was quite palpable that she was overmatched, as game after game in quick succession was won by Miss Dod, whose returns were wonderfully well placed, and at times she volleyed with good effect. The last ten games of the match were all won by Miss Dod, and, though Miss Bingley may gain more games some other time when in better health, we doubt that she would ever again defeat the new holder of the championship. Miss Dod excels all other ladies greatly in the ease with which she gets to the balls, she apparently being able to judge fairly well where the return is coming to. In the match under notice Miss Dod won 12 games to 2 and 60 strokes to 36."

[Thanks to Mark for the report from the "Field Lawn Tennis Calendar"]
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For the first time in the history of the women's singles event the holder (in this case Lottie Dod) did not defend her title.

Another "first" in the women's singles event was the saving of match points (3) – by Blanche Hillyard in her semi-final match with Lena Rice, played before a large Centre Court crowd. Lena has a strong serve and forehand, but her weak backhand mainly goes cross-court. Lena and her sister Annie were natives of County Tipperary in Ireland.
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In the draw for the women's singles event at Wimbledon in 1892 included in his book "The Official History of The Championships", John Barrett features a Mrs C.A. Martin in error. The player in question is actually Louisa Martin, the Irish champion.

There is hope that the invincible Lottie Dod may be beaten. Earlier in the season she lost in the Irish Championships to the Irishwoman Martin. That was Lottie's first defeat in singles since 1886! Martin lost in a close semi, however, and Lottie easily rolled over Blanche Hillyard in the Challenge Round match.

Beatrice Draffen is the former Miss Wood, a Yorkshire-born player.
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Blanche Hillyard tests Lottie Dod in the challenge round. A few weeks before Wimbledon Blanche had held 3 match points in the final match of the Northern Tournament at Manchester before losing, 6-3 3-6 7-5. This time she again falls in three sets. A figure in white with her cricket cap secure on her head, Lottie moved about the court with her black stockings providing colour.

At the start of the third set Lottie fell heavily. It was thought she might retire. However, she held on for her third straight crown. Lottie Dod never again played tennis competively. She went on to other sports, including golf, at which she won the British Amateur Open title in 1904, and archery, where she won a silver medal at the 1908 Olympics.

With a scant record of 9-0, Lottie Dod remains the only woman in tennis history NEVER to lose a grand slam match. In her 11-year career she lost only five singles matches.
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This draw features the first meeting at Wimbledon between Blanche Hillyard and a future champion, her countrywoman Charlotte Cooper. Blanche and Charlotte will be rivals not only with each other, but also with another debutant at this Wimbledon, their fellow Englishwoman Edith Austin.
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Henrietta Horncastle, who married a viscount, was the former Miss Govey, a Londoner by birth.
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